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Release date: November 9, 2016
Running time: 52:12, 11 tracks
The three original songs are called “Down in the City”, “All I Can Give” and “Politician”. “Down in the City” it’s a catchy number featuring top-notch fiddling and female backing vocals. A different version of this song can be found on “… Whispers from the Attic” (2010). “All I Can Give” begins slowly with guitar and little by little the rest of the ban joins. The song has a Christy Moore twist thanks to the guitars, and more kick-ass fiddling too. This number was also recorded on “Run Away” (2002). “Politician” is an energetic track. The beginning has a Celtas Cortos touch and the amazing electric guitar plays a major role on this song. The original version can be heard on “Get Your Head Together” (1997).
There is a great selection of traditional covers. Fiddle and tin whistle are showcased on “Yarmouth Town”, another excellent number featuring female backing vocals. “American Land” starts with some drums, fiddle and tin whistle that remind me of the early The Moorings. A lively song that will make you dance and sing along. “Pay Me Money Down” is really played with gusto. “Mairi’s Wedding” was also recorded for their 5 track EP “Debout sous la table” (1999). The new rendition starts slowly and the fiddle arrangements are excellent. When the song is nearly over, the band burst into a rocking rendition of “Toss the Feathers” featuring fantastic percussion.
“Fisherman’s Blues” could be the next “Galway Girl” song on the Celtic scene. I mean, nobody covered this song for a while and now we have two brilliant covers by two different bands, Handsome Young Strangers from Australia and Celtic Hangover from France.
The usual standards are “Johhny I Hardly Knew Ye”, “Drunken Sailor” and the bonus track “Wild Mountain Thyme”. “Johnny Hardly Knew Ye” has apparently been on the band’s repertoire from their beginning, since this song has been previously recorded for “Get Your Head Together” (1997) and “… Whispers from the Attic” (2010). Obviously, the song has evolved and the brand new version with electric guitar is rad. “Drunken Sailor” (video HERE) has been improved with “Drowsy Maggie” while “Wild Mountain Thyme” gets an acoustic treatment based on acoustic guitar, flute and fiddle.
“Don’t Fool Yourself” comes in a jewel case and the 8 page booklet includes the lyrics to every single song, even the traditional numbers. The CD can be bought directly from the band and the digital version is also available at Bandcamp.
If you are not familiar with Celtic Hangover, the godfathers of the French Celtic rock scene, “Don’t Fool Yourself” is the right album to start with. Grab a pint of Guinness (or Pelforth Brune) and enjoy!
01. American Land 05:13
02. Fishermans Blues 05:04
03. Mairies Wedding 06:34
04. Down in the City 03:16
05. All I Can Give 05:48
06. Yarmouth Town 07:24
07. Politician 03:29
08. Pay Me My Money Down 03:39
09. Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye 03:48
10. Drunken Sailor 03:33
11. BONUS TRACK: Wild mountain Thyme 04:20
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Review by Kinksmarkham
